AGRO 5 |
| Cyanobacteria (blue-green-algae) are known to produce various toxins that can be assigned to different substance classes, such as alkaloids, lipopolysaccharides, polyketides, or peptides. Cyanobacteria live in terrestrial, fresh, brackish, or marine water. Some of the toxins they produce can be toxic, others can cause severe taste and odor problems in drinking water supplies. Cyanobactreial toxins can make drinking water and recreational use of water unsafe. Animals die yearly as a result of cyanotoxins, and though human death is not commom, many people experience symptoms indicative of cyanotoxin exposure. Very little is known about the long-term side effects of ingestion of cyanotoxins, although there is a guideline set by WHO for safe concentrations, minimal concentrations could cause an effect over time. Concerns about contamination of lakes and reservoirs with algal toxins have led to the need for more rapid, sensitive, and selective methods of analysis. This paper describes the development and assay performance of microtiter plate ELISAs for microcystins, cylindropsermopsin, and saxitoxin in water samples, and an immunochromatography device for the quick analysis of microcystins in recreational water samples. The results showed that the ELISA exhibits excellent sensitivities: 0.1, 0.04, and 0.02 ppb respectively in water samples. Average recoveries in water were between 85-115% and within and between assay precision of < 12%. Data obtained with water samples as well as sample comparison will also be presented. |
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Immunochemistry
8:40 AM-12:05 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 BCEC -- 259A, Oral
Division of Agrochemicals |